A "Nutcracker" matinee can be an inherently glamorous occasion, a family affair or a bit of both. Safe to say that at Oakland Ballet's "Nutcracker," which drew hundreds of animated, chattering youngsters in their most elegant dresses and natty little suits to Oakland's extravagantly Paramount Theatre on Saturday, the atmosphere is equal parts swanky show and family reunion.

For the most part, the Oakland production sticks with the basics of this traditional ballet staple. Young Marie, danced charmingly by a beribboned Sarah Hernandez, falls in love with the Nutcracker doll given to her by her wily, oddball Uncle Drosselmeyer (Tom Pracher) and dreams that her beloved toy becomes a prince who defends her against the nefarious Rat King and then takes her on a journey through the Kingdom of Sweets.

For 2009, Oakland Ballet is combining with Peninsula Dance Theatre to present Carlos Carvajal's "Nutcracker" in both San Mateo and Oakland. Angela Woodall previews the performances in the Oakland Tribune.

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